Gunner Jessica Sutton said the blast was awesome. “It was a ground shaker,” she said.

The Eagle returned the salute with its barley audible small cannon then continued upstream to the North Carolina State Port in Wilmington, where it will dock for the weekend.

Free tours of the ship are available. Tickets are free and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

A limited number of tickets for Saturday and Sunday tours will be available only on Saturday at the USCG Cutter Diligence parking lot, 109 N. Water Street in downtown Wilmington between 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. (while supply lasts). No tickets will be distributed on Sunday.

Buses will be transporting people to the ship. Tickets will be required to board the buses. Buses will depart from Legion Stadium, 2149 Carolina Beach Road. Only buses will be permitted to enter the State Port.

Organizers urge people to arrive at Legion Stadium with their tickets 15 minutes prior to their scheduled departure. Passengers are limited to two small carry-on pieces (purse, camera case, etc.).